ANN ARBOR -- He may wear a mask, but there's no hiding the talents of Cole Martin.

The former Bangor John Glenn standout has delivered a breakout career behind the plate for the University of Michigan baseball team. And now he's being recognized as one of the top catchers in college ball.

Martin has been named to the 2014 Johnny Bench Award watch list, making him a candidate for the honor given each year to the top catcher in Division I college baseball.

The senior got this season off to a stunning start, blasting a three-run home run against Washington then coming back the next day with two hits against Air Force. Martin was third-team all-Big Ten performer in 2013 when he batted .246 with 22 RBIs, and led the conference by throwing out 23 baserunners.

Martin has started 116 games with the Wolverines and played in 150 games in his three seasons in Ann Arbor.

The Johnny Bench watch list will be narrowed to a group of semifinalists May 15, then a group of finalists on June 3. A national voting panel decides the winner, which will be announced at the College World Series.

Martin was a key performer for the John Glenn high school team, helping the Bobcats win a district championship in all three of his varsity seasons while earning Bay City Times Dream Team honors in 2010. He helped the Midland Berryhill team to the American Legion World Series title in 2009.

The watch list will be narrowed down to the semifinalists, who
will be announced May 15. Ballots will be sent to the national voting panel at
the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists, who will will be
announced June 3. A final vote among the national committee will occur during
the College World Series. All finalists will be brought to Wichita and the
winner will be announced at the 17th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on
June 26.

Michigan will open a four-game series against Princeton with a
single game Friday afternoon (March 7) at 1 p.m. at Tradition Field in Port St.
Lucie, Fla.